Safety accessory with situational awareness and data retention

ABSTRACT

A video recording system for a head safety device includes a microcontroller and an accelerometer mounted in the head safety device. The accelerometer is coupled to the microcontroller. A plurality of camera modules are mounted on the head safety device and coupled to the microcontroller. The camera modules are positioned facing outward to obtain images at different angles of an environment surrounding the head safety device. The microcontroller receives data from the accelerometer and automatically initiates video recording with the camera modules when movement of the head safety device, as sensed using the accelerometer, reaches or exceeds a selected movement threshold.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/826,766 entitled “SAFETY ACCESSORY WITH SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ANDDATA RETENTION” filed May 23, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to devices worn for headsafety. More particularly, the invention relates to wearable devices,such as helmets, that are operable to sense acceleration and recordvideo segments in time with that acceleration.

2. Description of Related Art

Helmets are generally worn for safety protection during physicalactivities that have some type of inherent danger. For example, helmetsmay be worn during sports activities such as, but not limited to,bicycling, skiing, snowboarding, football, and skateboarding. Whilethere are many video recording devices associated with helmets (e.g.,GoPro). Most devices are attached or mounted to the helmet and extendfrom the helmet in such a manner that may not be feasible or may beawkward in ordinary situations. For example, many users are not likelyto wear such video devices when during general daily bike riding (e.g.,bike commuting or riding around town).

In addition, most of the current video recording devices associated withhelmets require the user to stop/start the video recording manuallyand/or using a timer. Thus, video may not be recorded in situationswhere a video recording may be helpful. For example, the user may not berecording video in an unplanned bicycle accident such as a hit-and-runbicycle accident with an automobile. Having a recorded video during suchan incident may be useful in determining injuries to the helmet wearerand/or discovering details of the accident (e.g., identifying othervehicles involved in the accident). Thus, there is a need for a videorecording device associated with a helmet (e.g., a head safety device)that will automatically record video and/or audio in the event of anincident (e.g., a bicycle accident).

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, a video recording system for a head safetydevice includes a microcontroller and an accelerometer mounted in thehead safety device with the accelerometer coupled to themicrocontroller. A plurality of camera modules may be mounted on thehead safety device and coupled to the microcontroller. The cameramodules may be positioned facing outward to obtain images at differentangles of an environment surrounding the head safety device. In someembodiments, the camera modules provide a 360° view in a horizontalplane around the head safety device and a 180° view in a vertical planearound the head safety device. The microcontroller may be operable toreceive data from the accelerometer and automatically initiate videorecording with the camera modules when movement of the head safetydevice, as sensed using the accelerometer, reaches or exceeds a selectedmovement threshold.

In certain embodiments, a method for recording video from a head safetydevice includes sensing movement of the head safety device with anaccelerometer mounted in the head safety device, receiving data from theaccelerometer in a microcontroller mounted in the head safety device,and automatically initiating video recording using a plurality of cameramodules mounted on the head safety device when the sensed movement ofthe head safety device reaches or exceeds a selected movement thresholdin the data received by the microcontroller. The camera modules may bepositioned facing outward to obtain images at different angles of anenvironment surrounding the head safety device. In some embodiments,video is recorded for a selected period of time.

In some embodiments, video from the camera modules is constantlyrecorded and stored in a buffer of a selected size. After the selectedmovement threshold is reached or exceeded by movement of the head safetydevice, the video stored in the buffer may be saved. In someembodiments, audio from an audio input on the head safety device isconstantly assessed while the head safety device is in motion. Videorecording may be automatically initiated when a selected change occursin the assessed audio. In some embodiments, an emergency message isautomatically provided through a mobile device when video recording isinitiated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the presentinvention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the followingdetailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrativeembodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a profile view of an embodiment of a helmet.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a helmet.

FIG. 3 depicts a back view of an embodiment of a helmet.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an embodiment of helmet.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of a helmet showing asystem inside the helmet.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a system.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Thedrawings may not be to scale. It should be understood that the drawingsand detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the inventionto the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention isto cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the context of this patent, the term “coupled” means either a directconnection or an indirect connection (e.g., one or more interveningconnections) between one or more objects or components. The phrase“directly connected” means a direct connection between objects orcomponents such that the objects or components are connected directly toeach other so that the objects or components operate in a “point of use”manner

FIG. 1 depicts a profile view of an embodiment of helmet 100. FIG. 2depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of helmet 100. FIG. 3depicts a back view of an embodiment of helmet 100. FIG. 4 depicts a topview of an embodiment of helmet 100. Helmet 100 may be of the style usedin different recreational sports for head protection (e.g., a headsafety device). In some embodiments, helmet 100 includes a helmetspecifically designed for sports such as bicycling, skiing,snowboarding, football, skateboarding, and other activities wherewearing the helmet is encouraged or required. In certain embodiments,the helmet contains two shells that encircle the wearer's head. Theouter shell may be a hard plastic material. The inner shell may beprotective foam or another shock absorbing material. The outer and innershells may help protect the wearer's head in case of impact. The helmetmay also contain one or more additionally layers used to protect thewearer's head during impact.

In certain embodiments, helmet 100 includes an electronic systemincluding one or more electronics components positioned between theinner shell and the outer shell. The electronic system may be mounted(attached) in helmet 100 and positioned such that it is protected bothfrom impact (by the outer shell) and the wearer's head (by the innershell). FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of helmet 100showing system 200 inside the helmet. In certain embodiments, system 200includes sensing and processing module 202, battery 204, and cameramodules 206. Sensing and processing module 202 and battery 204 may bemounted in helmet 100 (e.g., they may be mounted or attached to theouter shell). Camera modules 206 may be coupled, mounted, or attached tothe outer shell of helmet 100 to position the camera modules to viewoutwards from the helmet. Sensing and processing module 202, battery204, and camera modules 206 may be coupled together using cables, wires,or other suitable connectors. 100181 In certain embodiments, battery 204provides power to sensing and processing module 202 and/or cameramodules 206. In some embodiments, battery 204 provides power to sensingand processing module 202, which then provides power to camera modules206. In certain embodiments, battery 204 is a rechargeable battery.Battery 204 may be charged, for example, using a USB charging port. Insome embodiments, the battery may be charged using solar panels in or onhelmet 100 or any other suitable charging means.

Camera modules 206 may be positioned facing outward to obtain images atdifferent angles from the helmet wearer's head (e.g., each camera modulehas a different view of the surrounding environment). In certainembodiments, camera modules 206 are positioned at different angles suchthat the camera modules are capable of viewing a 360°×180° view aroundthe helmet wearer's head. For example, the 360° view may be in ahorizontal plane around the helmet wearer's head, represented by 110 inFIG. 4, and the 180° view may be in a vertical plane around the helmetwearer's head, represented by 120 in FIG. 3. The large field of view maybe achieved by positioning each camera module 206 to capture a differentview of the surrounding environment that put together provide an overalldesired field of view. In some embodiments, camera modules 206 have atleast some overlap between their individual views.

In certain embodiments, helmet 100 includes seven (7) camera modules 206positioned at different locations around the helmet to provide the360°×180° view around the helmet wearer's head, as shown in FIGS. 1-5.In some embodiments, camera modules 206 are positioned in one or morevents in helmet 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. It is to be understood thatany number of camera modules 206 at any variety of positions may be useddepending on factors such as, but not limited to, a desired field ofview around the helmet wearer's head based and/or a viewing angle ofeach camera module.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of system 200. In certain embodiments,sensing and processing module 202 includes accelerometer 208 andmicrocontroller 210. Microcontroller 210 may include a centralprocessing unit (CPU) and/or other units used to control and operate theaccelerometer and camera modules 206. In certain embodiments, sensingand processing module 202 includes I/O means 212. For example, I/O means212 may be a USB port or another suitable I/O interface. In someembodiments, I/O means 212 is a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth orWi-Fi). I/O means 212 may allow for input of instructions to sensing andprocessing module 202 and/or retrieval of data from the sensing andprocessing module or camera modules 206. For example, a computationaldevice (e.g., a computer, a tablet, etc.) may be coupled to I/O means212. Software on the computational device may then be used to provideinstructions to, or retrieve data from, sensing and processing module202 and/or camera modules 206. The computational device may be coupledto and uncoupled from I/O means 212 as needed. For example, thecomputational device may be coupled to I/O means 212 to provideinstructions to, or receive data from, sensing and processing module 202and/or camera modules 206 while helmet 100 is not in use (e.g., not onthe wearer's head) and then uncoupled before the wearer places thehelmet on his head. In some embodiments, I/O means 212 is used to chargebattery 204.

In certain embodiments, each camera module 206 includes recording meansfor receiving and storing images/video collected. The recording meansmay be, for example, one or more digital recording devices. In someembodiments, microcontroller 210 includes recording means for receivingand storing images/video collected from camera modules 206. In someembodiments, the recording means is another component of sensing andprocessing module 202 and microcontroller 210 controls and operates therecording means.

Accelerometer 208 may be any motion sensing and/or positioning devicecapable of reading/sensing a rapid change in acceleration speed. Incertain embodiments, accelerometer 208 is a three-axis accelerometer. Insome embodiments, sensing and processing module 202 includes anadditional position sensing device (e.g., a GPS sensor or cellularsignal triangulation device).

In certain embodiments, sensing and processing module 202 (e.g.,microcontroller 210) controls when video/images are collected orrecorded from camera modules 206 using the recording means. In certainembodiments, data from accelerometer 208 is used by microcontroller 210to trigger/start video (or image) recording in a desired situation. Forexample, video recording may begin when movement (acceleration) ofhelmet 100 sensed using accelerometer 208 reaches or exceeds a selectedmovement threshold. The selected movement threshold may beunidirectional or may include different movement thresholds in differentdirections (e.g., different movement thresholds in vertical, horizontal,or rotational directions). In certain embodiments, the selected movementthreshold is set at a value such that video recording begins in certainsituations—such as automatically in a fall or accident or purposely by asolid tap of a hand on helmet 100. Thus, when such a certain situationarises, video recording begins automatically as long as movement(acceleration) that reaches or exceeds the selected movement thresholdis sensed using accelerometer 208 in at least one direction.

In certain embodiments, the selected movement threshold is programmedinto sensing and processing module 202 by software on a computationaldevice coupled to the sensing and processing module. The selectedmovement threshold may be selected based on parameters input by a userinto the software on the computational device (e.g., use of helmet 100,average speed of wearer, weight of wearer, etc.). In some embodiments,the selected movement threshold is adjusted using a switch or switcheslocated on system 200. For example, the switch may select from two ormore selected movement thresholds programmed into sensing and processingmodule 202 by the software (e.g., the switch can select betweendifferent uses of the helmet and the selected movement threshold isdetermined based on other parameters programmed into the sensing andprocessing module).

In certain embodiments, after the selected movement threshold is reachedor exceeded by movement of helmet 100, video is recorded for a selectedtime period. For example, video may be recorded for about 30 secondsafter movement of helmet 100 reaches or exceeds the selected movementthreshold. The selected time period may be programmed into sensing andprocessing module 202 by software on the computational device coupled tothe sensing and processing module. In some embodiments, the selectedtime period is adjusted using a switch or switches located on system200.

In certain embodiments, video is constantly recorded and stored in abuffer of a selected size. For example, video may be constantly recordedand stored in a constantly refreshing circular buffer of storage data.The buffer may, for example, continuously store the last 30 seconds ofvideo from camera modules 206. After the selected movement threshold isreached or exceeded by movement of helmet 100, the video stored in thebuffer may be saved to provide recorded video for a selected time beforethe situation that caused the selected movement threshold to be reachedor exceeded. Thus, system 200 may provide recorded video before andafter an accident or other situation involving the wearer of the helmet100.

In certain embodiments, system 200 includes audio input 214. Audio input214 may be, for example, a microphone or other audio collection devicelocated on helmet 100. In certain embodiments, audio is collected usingaudio input 214 at substantially the same time video is collected usingcamera modules 206. Sensing and processing module 202 may synchronizeaudio collection from audio input 214 with video collection from cameramodules 206. In some embodiments, audio from audio input 214 isconstantly assessed while helmet 100 is in motion. Changes in audioinput (e.g., a loud noise, car horn, braking noise, etc.) may then beused to trigger (begin) video recording using camera modules 206. Usingchange in audio input may allow recording of video to begin before anincident (situation) causes change in movement (acceleration) of helmet100.

In certain embodiments, system 200 communicates with a helmet wearer'spersonal device via I/O means 212. For example, the helmet wearer mayhave a mobile phone or other mobile device (e.g., GPS device or fitnesstracker device) that wirelessly communicates (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi)with system 200. Communication between the helmet wearer's personaldevice and system 200 may allow the system to send automatic messages(via, for example, text message or email) in the event of an incident(situation) that causes video recording to be initiated. For example,system 200 may send an emergency text message (via, for example, e911)to alert first responders to the incident. In some embodiments, theemergency text message may be sent directly by system 200 if, forexample, the system includes its own communication (e.g., cellular)module.

In some embodiments, communication between the helmet wearer's personaldevice and system 200 allows the personal device to be used to programthe system and/or monitor functions within the system. For example, thepersonal device may be used to stream video/audio data from system 200,download video/audio data from the system, and/or visualize (e.g., viewon screen) video/audio data from the system. The personal device mayalso be used to program instructions into system 200 (e.g., the personaldevice is used as a computational device described herein).

In certain embodiments, software on the computation device coupled tosystem 200 provides certain functions for viewing video/audio datareceived from the system. In some embodiments, the software allowsvisualization of videos from each camera module 206 substantiallysimultaneously and synchronized. A user may view all the videos on asingle screen to show all the viewpoints from helmet 100 simultaneously(e.g., the videos are shown as individual frames on the single screen).The software may include functions to time stamp and/or synchronizevideo from each camera module 206. In some embodiments, the softwareallows the user to zoom in on one or more of video frames. In someembodiments, the software includes video and/or audio enhancementalgorithms to sharpen video and/or clarify audio.

It is to be understood the invention is not limited to particularsystems described which may, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. As used in this specification, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a module” includes acombination of two or more modules and reference to “a material”includes mixtures of materials.

In this patent, certain U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, andother materials (e.g., articles) have been incorporated by reference.The text of such U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and othermaterials is, however, only incorporated by reference to the extent thatno conflict exists between such text and the other statements anddrawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, then any suchconflicting text in such incorporated by reference U.S. patents, U.S.patent applications, and other materials is specifically notincorporated by reference in this patent.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements andmaterials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein,parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to oneskilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of theinvention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video recording system for a head safetydevice, comprising: a head safety device; a microcontroller mounted inthe head safety device; an accelerometer mounted in the head safetydevice and coupled to the microcontroller; and a plurality of cameramodules mounted on the head safety device and coupled to themicrocontroller, wherein the camera modules are positioned facingoutward to obtain images at different angles of an environmentsurrounding the head safety device; wherein the microcontroller isoperable to receive data from the accelerometer and automaticallyinitiate video recording with the camera modules when movement of thehead safety device, as sensed using the accelerometer, reaches orexceeds a selected movement threshold.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein head safety device comprises a helmet.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein head safety device comprises a bicycle helmet.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable batteryconfigured to provide power to the microcontroller, the accelerometer,and the camera modules.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themicrocontroller and the accelerometer are positioned between an innershell and an outer shell of the head safety device.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the camera modules are positioned in vents of the headsafety device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinginput/output means coupled to the microcontroller and camera modules. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input/output means comprises a USBport.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input/output meanscomprises a wireless interface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an audio input mounted in the head safety device and coupledto the microcontroller.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein themicrocontroller is operable to receive data from the accelerometer andautomatically initiate audio recording from the audio input whenmovement of the head safety device, as sensed using the accelerometer,reaches or exceeds a selected movement threshold.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the camera modules provide a 360° view in a horizontalplane around the head safety device and a 180° view in a vertical planearound the head safety device.
 13. A method for recording video from ahead safety device, comprising: sensing movement of the head safetydevice with an accelerometer mounted in the head safety device;receiving data from the accelerometer in a microcontroller mounted inthe head safety device; and automatically initiating video recordingusing a plurality of camera modules mounted on the head safety devicewhen the sensed movement of the head safety device reaches or exceeds aselected movement threshold in the data received by the microcontroller,wherein the camera modules are positioned facing outward to obtainimages at different angles of an environment surrounding the head safetydevice.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein video is recorded for aselected period of time.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprisingconstantly recording and storing video from the camera modules in abuffer of a selected size, and, after the selected movement threshold isreached or exceeded by movement of the head safety device, saving thevideo stored in the buffer.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising constantly assessing audio from an audio input on the headsafety device while the head safety device is in motion, andautomatically initiating video recording when a selected change occursin the assessed audio.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprisingautomatically providing an emergency message through a mobile devicewhen video recording is initiated.
 18. The method of claim 13, whereinthe camera modules provide a 360° view in a horizontal plane around thehead safety device and a 180° view in a vertical plane around the headsafety device.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected movementthreshold comprises a selected acceleration threshold.
 20. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the selected movement threshold is selected such thatvideo recording automatically initiates during an accident involving awearer of the head safety device.